The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is often a necessary step for students pursuing higher education in the United States. The FAFSA determines students’ eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, and provides state and institutional financial aid opportunities.

However, students must apply within a certain timeframe in order to qualify for aid. As such, knowing the FAFSA deadline is critical.

Meeting FAFSA deadlines maximizes the amount of aid available to an individual student. Missing these deadlines can limit access to certain grants and scholarships.

However, FAFSA policies and deadlines are continuously changing year to year. For the upcoming academic year (2025-26), FAFSA deadlines and processing timelines include changes students need to be aware of.

Below, we’ll break down key FAFSA deadlines, explain how often students need to apply, and outline the consequences of missing deadlines in the guide below.

Do you have to apply for FAFSA every semester?

It’s a common misconception that students must apply for FAFSA every semester, with students often worrying, “When should I file FAFSA?!”In truth, FAFSA is filed once every academic year, not each semester.

So, if a student is approved for FAFSA aid, it is typically dispersed in installments between the fall and spring academic semesters. Some schools also offer summer aid, which may require additional application steps.

However, there are some exceptions, so it’s essential to understand the FAFSA deadlines for your specific situation. Students who enroll in the middle of the academic year—such as those starting in the spring—may have different deadlines and application procedures.

So, sorry, how often do you fill out the FAFSA form? Well, for federal aid, it depends on the institution. Some institutions have rolling deadlines, meaning mid-year applicants might need to submit a separate FAFSA for the current year. When in doubt, a school’s financial aid office is an excellent resource for understanding institution-specific policies for mid-year applications and financial aid disbursement.

When should I file FAFSA?

Typically, FAFSA opens on October 1st, the year before the academic year begins. For example, the 2025-26 FAFSA application—which would provide financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year—opened in October 2024. The federal deadline for submission is usually June 30th of the academic year for which aid is being requested.

State universities and institutions offer priority deadlines, which fall earlier than the federal deadline. Depending on the college, students may have to file for FAFSA in the early spring to be considered for institutional aid. Further, state grant programs have deadlines in December or March. Applying early is highly recommended as certain types of aid, like state grants or work-study programs, are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding.

Not all FAFSA and financial aid deadlines are the same. To get the most accurate and updated information, students should regularly check official FAFSA deadline resources, verify deadlines with their state’s financial aid agency, and check with their college’s financial aid office.

How often do you fill out the FAFSA form for federal aid?

To continue receiving financial aid, students must file a FAFSA annually. Students often ask, “Wait, so you DO have to apply for FAFSA every semester?” But no, you don’t. By filing each year, FAFSA is updated with any changes to a student’s income, tax information, or family financial circumstances. This gives students the correct amount of aid based on their current situation.

It’s important to note that some institutional aid programs and multi-year scholarships may not require students to submit their FAFSA form annually. However, all federal grants and loans require renewal each year, and while institutional aid may not require FAFSA, by providing the college with the most updated financial profile, you can guarantee yourself the maximum aid available.

There are tools to make the process easier, such as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which imports tax information directly into their FAFSA form to reduce errors and save time.

Get the most from FAFSA at Goodwin.

What is the FAFSA deadline?

There are three critical FAFSA deadlines that students must keep in mind:

• College-Specific Deadlines: Many institutions set priority deadlines in early spring to distribute institutional aid. Students should check with their school’s financial aid office to confirm deadlines.
• Federal FAFSA Deadline: This is typically June 30th of the academic year for which aid is being sought. The federal deadline for the 2025-26 academic year will be June 30, 2026, but students can update their application until mid-September of the same year.
• State-Specific Deadlines: These vary by state, with some states setting deadlines as early as December or March. Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of state grants and scholarships.

Submitting the FAFSA as early as possible increases the chances of receiving the most financial aid. State grants, work-study, and other types of aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, from a finite pool of funding—applying early means you’re first in line to receive funds as they’re released.

When is the FAFSA deadline for 2025?

For the 2025-26 academic year, the FAFSA deadline is currently June 30, 2026 (at 11:59 pm CT). However, students should always verify the exact deadline on the official FAFSA website or with their college’s financial aid office, as deadlines can change.

Additionally, if your application needs modifying or updating, any revisions must be made by September 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm CT. In Eastern time, this gives you until 12:59 am on September 13, 2026.

These are deadlines outlined on the FAFSA website, but it’s also important to note that timelines can vary by state. For example, some states allow for priority consideration, which enables students to learn their financial aid awards in advance of others. In Connecticut, the priority consideration deadline was February 15, 2025.

What to Do in Advance of FAFSA Deadlines

When it comes to FAFSA, the worst thing to do is miss a deadline!

Changes to the FAFSA process can sometimes cause delays or modifications to deadlines. Any updates for the 2025 FAFSA cycle should be reviewed carefully, as processing times and financial aid availability could be affected.

Ahead of FAFSA deadlines, students should:

• Create or update their FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification)
• Double-check state and institutional deadlines
• Gather necessary tax documents from the prior year.
• Set reminders to ensure timely submission

Missing the FAFSA deadline can significantly impact a student’s ability to receive financial aid. Late applications typically only provide limited funding or none at all. By setting reminders to submit FAFSA early, students limit the chance of missing deadlines to receive the maximum amount of financial aid available.

Understanding FAFSA Deadlines

Meeting FAFSA deadlines is one of the most critical steps in securing financial aid. Students should take the time to double-check their state and school deadlines. Schools’ financial aid offices are there to answer students’ and families’ questions. Staying informed about FAFSA deadlines and deadline changes ensures students are prepared to take full advantage of the financial aid available to them. Taking proactive steps now can make a significant difference in securing financial aid and reducing the overall cost of education.

Get the financial assistance you need at Goodwin University.